While the venue is closed for a £5m refurbishment, the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds pantomime will this year be presented in a specially prepared Big Top in a nearby park. Robinson Crusoe A Jungle Pantomime (pictured) will take advantage of the unusual setting by incorporating aerial stunts and a circus choreographer has been engaged to work alongside a traditional panto production team.
The Big Top, which was originally created in conjunction with the Royal National Theatre for its production of Oh What A Lovely War, is the only purpose built theatre tent in the UK. Theatre Director, Colin Blumenau, said, Despite the temporary closure of our theatre for restoration we really wanted to keep contact with our audiences& This is a terrific opportunity to extend the boundaries of pantomime and to include circus artistry in a theatrical performance.